Askren Tops Hieron; Prindle, Santos Need Just 78 Seconds at Bellator

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- It was his biggest win to date, but Olympian
and collegiate wrestling great Ben Askren
just wasn't happy with his first Bellator welterweight title
defense at
Bellator 56.

Askren earned a well-deserved split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)
over UFC and IFL veteran Jay Hieron,
using his celebrated wrestling to grind out the tough 25-minute
verdict and retain his title at the Kansas Memorial Hall.

“I’m not happy with this whatsoever,” Askren said post-fight. “A
win like this isn’t great, it doesn’t feel good. I need to get back
to the drawing board.”

Hieron was the more effective fighter early on, as his low kicks
and hard jabs kept Askren on the outside. Askren landed looping
punches while rushing in, but couldn't get quality takedown
attempts on the native New Yorker to get him on the mat.

K.
Mills

Askren wore Hieron down.

In the second round, Askren loosened up, and his
powerful takedowns and natural feel for top-position grappling took
over. From rounds two to four, the fight belonged to Askren, as he
wore Hieron down with punching, pressure and passing attempts,
mostly from half guard. Hieron was never out of the bout, but had
little answer for Askren's wrestling.

Hieron had another strong round in the fifth and final frame, even
putting Askren on the deck with a spinning back kick, but it was
too little too late. Though judge Henry Gueary saw it 48-47 for
Hieron, Mike Boyd and
Kevin Champion had it 48-47 for Askren, also Sherdog.com's
scorecard.

“That was a split, it could’ve gone either way … I’m supposed to be
getting better,” said Askren, visibly disappointed in himself.

Despite dissatisfaction, the 27-year-old two-time NCAA national
wrestling champion is now 9-0 in his career. Hieron falls to 22-5
with the loss. Askren will now meet the winner of the Nov. 12
Ben
Saunders-Douglas
Lima welterweight tournament final at Bellator 57.

“I don’t care [who I face]. Whoever wins wins,” Askren added. “I
just need to get better, because that wasn’t even close.”

Prindle, Santos Reach Heavyweight Final in 78
Ticks Combined

K.
Mills

Prindle pummeled Sparks quickly.

While Askren needed 25 minutes to handle his
business, Bellator's two heavyweight tournament finalists needed
only a combined 78 seconds to take care of theirs'.

Prescott, Ariz.'s Prindle threw a monster left hook just as Sparks
leaned in for a low kick. The punch blew the doors off of Sparks,
who was done before he hit the canvas, but Prindle got an extra two
shots in for posterity.

With the win, the former U.S. Army boxing champion moves to
9-1.

K.
Mills

Santos mauled Grove.

Santos was slated to face sambo world champion
Blagoi
Ivanov, however, injury took the Bulgarian off the card. Facing
British-based South African Neil Grove in
his stead, the Brazilian quickly landed a looping right that put
Grove down. Santos then locked up a no-hooks rear-naked choke for
the tap, just as he did against Josh Burns
three weeks ago.

Santos moves to 10-1 with the win, while Grove, now 11-5-1, has
been tapped in three of his last four.

The 24-year-old Santos and 35-year-old Prindle will meet in the
Season 5 tournament final at Bellator 59 on Nov. 26 from Caesars
Atlantic in Atlantic City, N.J., for the chance to challenge
Cole
Konrad for the Bellator
heavyweight title.